The grounds of the Eastern States Exposition will be turned into a giant car lot this weekend when the 22nd East Coast Nationals comes to town – offering auto lovers a look at some of the “neatest” machines – including classic cars, hot rods and muscle cars.

Home to The Big E, the expansive West Springfield grounds, both indoors and out, will be landscaped with acres of gleaming, candy-colored, chrome plated classic cars beginning tomorrow – fancy machines like lil’ deuce coupes, hot rod roadsters, lead-sled 1950’s Mercury customs, ’55-’57 Chevys, Camaros from the ’60s and ’70s, Barracudas and Mustang muscle cars, and other timeless beauties.

“It was a backyard planter with things growing through it for quite a while, then I started to restore it in 2003 finishing it just three years ago,” said Picard.

“I just love it….it’s a pretty nice car that I’ve put a lot of work into. And the kids are telling me they’re going to love having it when I’m gone,” he laughed.

Picard bought the Rangoon Red car back in 1977 and drove it through 1987 before retiring it to the back yard.

“It became very valuable over the years because there aren’t many out there today. Many just weren’t in the realm of restoration, because when these cars rot, they really rotted. Mine was very bad and my friends told me I was out of my mind to put that much work into it, that it wasn’t worth it. But, it was worth it for me….it was just a history thing for me and my wife, I had it when we got married and we bummed around in it, it was all we could afford at the time,” said Picard.

Now he’s driving it around again as much as possible.

“When the nice weather arrives the top comes down and it doesn’t go up again until I put it away for the winter,” said Picard.

This marks the second consecutive year the Goodguys are holding the event in West Springfield after a 20-year run in upstate New York.

Those looking for a hard-to-find parts sorely needed to complete their restoration efforts can try to find that treasure among the many commercial dealers who will be selling a wide range of automotive parts and supplies. There will also be a swap meet and cars-for-sale corral offering bargain hunters the opportunity to shop for rare cars and parts.

The Goodguys Autocross will be held all three day as hot rods, muscle cars and trucks will be in action making runs through their electronically timed 1,000-foot course featuring turns with rapid acceleration and deceleration.

On Saturday, Revell Monogram will sponsor a Model Car Make n’ Take at 1 p.m. Model car kits will be available for kids to build and take home. A full-scale model car show will also be featured throughout the weekend.

On Father’s Day, visitors will find something extra at the show – the Goodguys All- American Sunday Get-Together, which they are calling an “event within an event.” The “get-together” welcomes all years, makes and models of American powered cars and trucks to the show. Late model American muscle cars such as the new generation Camaro, Mustang, GTO, Challenger, Charger and others are welcome to be driven into the event and shown alongside the vintage cars on display.

“This is such a family-based hobby, it’s really good clean fun. And when dad packs everyone into the car and heads to one of our shows, we want to be sure to have something for everyone to do,” said show spokesperson John Drummond.

For the kids, there will be clowns, carnival games, crafts and coloring activities to keep them busy. The free activities, designed for those under age 10, will be held each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And, to end it all, for those who want to see whose cars made the grade, Sunday will feature the show’s official awards ceremony in the afternoon when the weekend’s top machines will be paraded in front of the main stage.